- President Rodrigo Duterte has made disrespectful and offensive remarks towards women in the course of her leadership in the country
- While he is widely known for his vulgarity, citizens all over the world have condemned the behavior of the President when it comes to addressing women
- Here are the five instances that prove the continuous disrespect of Duterte to women
President Rodrigo Duterte is known for his strong character for being a firm decision-maker. Such essential characteristics are important for a country facing a lot of domestic problems such as systemic corruption in the government like the Philippines.
Aside from this, the President, with his humor, is also vocal about his romantic side as a man. He also considers himself a womanizer and seemed to be proud of it. However, the President’s tactlessness is most of the time, if not always, creating insensitive remarks and offensive comments to women. With this, the President was regarded as misogynistic and disrespectful to women not only here in the country but also in the international stage.
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Here are the 5 instances why Duterte should not be the man of your dreams:
1. WHEN DUTERTE KISSED WOMEN WHO WERE SITTING ON HIS LAP IN PUBLIC,
(Photo from Inquirer)
What better way to show that you are a true womanizer than to kiss women- complete strangers- while they sit on your lap! Duterte was still a presidential aspirant when he shocked the country during an event in which she embraced and kissed women and had them on his lap. While he was on the hype of being a romantic, he admitted that he has 2 wives and 2 girlfriends who were based in Davao. This leads us to thinking: How did the four women in his life react when he publicly kissed other women? Must be war!
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2. WHEN DUTERTE JOKED TO BE THE FIRST TO “SCORE” WITH A RAPE VICTIM,
(Photo from Zeibiz.com)
Rape jokes are never acceptable. However, Duterte once again drew the spotlight to himself as he joked about the rape and murder of Jacqueline Hamill, an Australian missionary. The former Davao City Mayor said, “There was this Australian lay minister…I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful I thought, the mayor should have been first.” He laughed about it, thinking that his remark was funny because his supporters laughed and clapped their hands, too. When he was condemned around the world for such “utter lack of respect for women”, Duterte, together with his supporters, said it was just a joke and there was no reason to take it seriously. But for someone who is a key official in the country, Mr. President, whatever you say will be taken seriously simply because you are the President.
3. WHEN DUTERTE CATCALLED A RESPECTED JOURNALIST,
(Photo from Rappler)
It is true that our country recognizes freedom of expression, but then again everything has a limit including this. Duterte drew flak when he catcalled Mariz Umali, a news reporter in a TV network, during a press conference. He whistled at Umali when she got the opportunity to ask the President a certain question. She was even considered as “papansin” (attention-seeker) by the President. However, Duterte said he was not harassing Umali when he catcalled her. But isn’t catcalling already a form of harassment? With this, Duterte not only defended himself but also others who catcalls and whistles at women. Catcalling is never a compliment, please keep in mind.
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4. WHEN DUTERTE UNDERESTIMATED THE ABILITY OF A WOMAN TO RULE,
(Photo from Philstar)
Vice President Leni Robredo is truly an epitome of strength, grace, and beauty; and the President did not have second thoughts on expressing his admiration for her. But this admiration prompted a joke, once again, when Duterte said, “You will not listen to a female president; you will just stare at her.” Duterte was talking about the possibility of Robredo deciding to run in 2022 or if he fails to complete the term. With an another joke about women, the President may be a true comedian but he is disrespectful towards women. Why question the ability to rule of a person based on his or her gender? Something a misogynist would do.
5. WHEN DUTERTE DESTROYED A PUBLIC SERVANT BY CALLING HER IMMORAL, ADULTERER,
(Photo from Philippine Star)
Isn’t it considered hypocrisy when you call someone immoral and an adulterer for having a secret lover when you are someone who is proud to have 2 wives and 2 girlfriends? The country is not only witnessing a war on drugs but also a war between Duterte and De Lima, who was accused of having a secret lover. But then again, is De Lima’s life a business of the President? After all, De Lima’s marriage was already annulled so if ever she has a lover, who are we to judge a person who wants to love and to be loved? The President is a bully who resorts to and attacks your personal life when he has nothing to use against you. Duterte is a perfect portrayal of a man who cannot take criticisms from a woman so he destroys her character in order to show that he is still superior to her. After all, he is still the President of this country, right?
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Woman, Duterte may be able to protect you, but will he respect you? – Kami Media
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